By Beatrice Romano
Milan-based editor covering the eurozone, banking and the industrial heartlands of the continent.
EU demands Russia disclose details on Siberian plague case
The European Commission has called on Russia to provide detailed information about a suspected plague case in Siberia. Brussels says the lac
Germany doubles 2026 growth forecast as exports defy Iran war shock
Berlin now expects the German economy to grow by 1.3% this year, up from a spring forecast of 0.5%. Strong exports, including stockpiling an
Azerbaijan's SOCAR Green charts renewable expansion across Europe
SOCAR Green plans over 1.5 GW of renewable capacity, spanning solar, wind, and storage. A Black Sea submarine cable will connect regional ma
Solar power gains ground in Nigeria as grid failures persist
Nigeria's chronic power shortages are driving demand for decentralized solar energy. New financing structures aim to manage currency risk an
Gulf economies face 4.3% contraction as Iran conflict disrupts trade, World Bank says
The World Bank expects Gulf Cooperation Council economies to contract by 4.3% on average this year. The Iran conflict has slashed energy exp
Ryanair chief sees no jet fuel shortage in Europe through summer 2027
Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary expects no jet fuel shortages in Europe this winter or next summer, despite Middle East disruptions. However, he
US launches probe into EU carbon border tax over trade concerns
The US Trade Representative has opened an investigation into the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, citing potential trade barriers fo
Why women in a Sardinian village outlive the rest of Italy
Women in Bolotana, a village of about 2,300 in Sardinia, have a life expectancy of 91 years, more than two years above the Italian average.
Samsung and TSMC post record profits as AI chip demand surges
Samsung Electronics expects its third-quarter operating profit to jump 783% year-on-year to a record $80.2bn, while TSMC's quarterly revenue
Oil surge hits European markets as Iran war fears intensify
European shares opened lower on Thursday as crude prices rebounded on worries about a wider Iran conflict. The US is reportedly weighing new
Portuguese hospital opens wards to family pets in pioneering scheme
São João Hospital in Porto has become the first Portuguese public hospital to allow pets into its wards. The initiative aims to ease the iso
Spain's menopause drug shortage exposes wider EU supply gaps
A shortage of the menopause spray Lenzetto has triggered wider supply problems for hormone replacement therapies in Spain and beyond. Patien